Chapter 14: The Solution

Anguirus' body exploded from the water and landed onto the frozen shore sideways. He rose to his feet a roared as Godzilla launched at him from the water. He scrambled on all fours towards Anguirus. Anguirus whipped his tail around to strike. Godzilla caught it in his mouth, clamping hard. Anguirus roared in pain and began digging his hind legs into the ground and kicking it into Godzilla. Godzilla released him as he clawed the dirt from his eyes. Anguirus turned swiftly and charged at Godzilla, colliding head to head with the king. Godzilla dug his claws into Anguirus' fore arms and twisted him onto his side. They rolled and tumbled on the ground, snow and dirt kicking up all around. Both creatures rose back up and faced one another. Anguirus rushed forward, jumping through the air and into a ball. Pink and blue flame shot from Godzilla's mouth. The breath attack collided with the Anguirus ball and sent it hurtling back. Anguirus unrolled and howled, smoke rising from his back. Energy travelled up his spines as Godzilla fired once more. The pink and blue energy beam tore through the icy ground as it chased Anguirus. The quadrepedal titan ran as fast as it could, narrowly avoiding the attack once more as it crashed and dove beneath the ice and dirt. It began burrowing down and away from Godzilla. Godzilla could sense it's adversary's movements beneath. More energy pushed forth from it's body as it's atomic breath increased in power. The energy from the attack dug into the ground, blasting away great swathes of soil. Anguirus could feel the looming presence of the attack. He diverted back towards Godzilla. Godzilla's head began lowering as the beam chased Anguirus towards him. The ground erupted once more as Anguirus launched into Godzilla. His body weight pushed the Titan King back. Anguirus clawed into Godzilla and clamped his jaws down on Godzilla's neck. Godzilla's breath attack ended as both titans crashed to the ground. Anguirus was latched on tightly, his teeth and claws digging into Godzilla's body.

The White House

"So what's the EDF have in mind to prevent another attack like this," President Saunders asked.

Douglas Gordon sat there in his military dress with his hat in his lap. The papers he had received from his secretary was a personal request from the President to meet and discuss potential plans and actions in the wake of the attack. With so much destruction not only across the world but also on American soil, the President felt the need to have an immediate and rapid response for the people as soon as possible. And since the EDF was supposed to be the authority on Titan attacks, it seemed only natural to request Gordon's presence.

"Mr. President. No one could have predicted something of this magnitude to occur. For all of these monsters to just attack out of the blue like this. We tried our best to defend as best as humanly possible, but even we weren't prepared for this. If we had more time, then perhaps we could have fought and defeated them before they withdrew. As it stands, our forces were heavily divided."

"I'm not hearing solutions Gordon. All I'm hearing is that the EDF isn't going to be as effective as you've presented them to be. Do we need to divert your resources and tech to the military instead or do you have something I can actually rely on?"

Gordon frowned.

"Yes Mr. President. I do believe there is something we can do. It will be risky and it will take a bit of time to prepare. But if it works, then we may not have to worry about an attack like this again."

"What do you have in mind?"

General Gordon left the office an hour later. He felt victorious once more as his plan had been signed off on by the leader of the country. Everything was moving like clockwork. In one week's time, the EDF would be ready for what came next. Project Millenium would be ready for testing in a week as well. This meant that there would be only one more phase of the plan left. Gordon's phone began to ring.

"This is Gordon."

"It's me General," the Monarch contact said.

"Not even you can rain on my parade today. What is it?"

"I found that something worthwhile for you General."

"Oh have you now? And what's that?"

"How about the literal heir to the throne of Godzilla?"

Gordon stopped walking, his interest peaked.

"I'm listening."

"A recent Monarch expedition has just reported that they found an egg in Godzilla's lair. From what they managed to uncover, it's over 15 feet in height and has an almost 20 foot diameter. It looks like Godzilla was expecting."

Gordon's eyes went wide for a moment. The gears in his head began turning as he processed this unexpected development.

"Do whatever you have to, but I want that egg in EDF custody immediately. This can give us just the edge we need for when we confront Godzilla. I can send a crew to help if you need me to."

"Would this be enough to call things even between us Gordon?"

"Our partnership ends once the EDF has dealt with Godzilla. Capturing that egg will bring us even closer to that goal than before. So in a way, yes it will. The sooner we get it, the sooner you'll be released from your obligations."

There was a short pause on the other line.

"I'll send the coordinates for your team to extract it. It's all yours."

"If only the others in your organization knew of how you really dealt with these monsters, I'm sure they'd have something to say," Gordon said with a smile before hanging up.

Godzilla's Lair

Dr. Henry's team walked along the path towards the looming egg. Each of them wore white radiation suits and carried with them various straps and measuring equipment. Another drone flanked them as they neared their target.

"Is it really such a good idea to try and move this thing Dr. Henry," one of the scientists asked.

"It's not my idea," Dr. Henry replied, "This came straight from the Director. We're supposed to take some field measurements and readings, then bring the egg back for further examination. I just want to get this over with so we can get out of here."

They put their equipment down next to the egg. The first drone had already taken size measurements, so the scientists began their other readings. The instruments began measuring radiation levels as well as the density and weight of the egg itself. One of them began taking scrapings of the shell itself. Flakes and bits fell off and into the sample bag. Dr. Henry placed his hand on the egg's side and pushed gently. The shell itself was firm but had a little give to it.

"We're going to have to be extra careful when we strap this thing gentlemen. We don't want to damage this thing during transport," Dr. Henry said.

"Are you sure this is even going to work sir?"

"No clue, but we gotta try. We strap it to both drones and they should be able to dock with the sub. Both drones should be able to handle it based on the size and shape. And it will be weightless in the water."

One of the scientists stepped back and signaled Dr. Henry.

"We've got all our readings and samples sir. Ready to move the egg on your word."

"Alright, let's get this over with. I don't know about you guys but I'm ready to head home."

After another 30 minutes, the egg was strapped to the drones in makeshift fashion. The drones lifted and began moving slowly as the scientists walked along side of it. As the drones submerged into the water, they were able to move a little faster. Within minutes the egg was brought aboard, the team recovered, and the sub departed.

Godzilla had loosened Anguirus' grip on his throat and launched the behemoth away from him with his legs. Godzilla charged as Anguirus rose up. He reached under him, using his momentum to pick up the creature. Godzilla then bit down on the back of Anguirus' neck. Anguirus roared in pain as he struggled to free himself from the King's grip. Godzilla shook his head back and forth as he pushed Anguirus into the ground, pinning him. Anguirus tried to claw and strike but wasn't able to land a hard enough blow for Godzilla to release him. Panic set in as Anguirus began to almost whimper between roars. Godzilla's teeth dug in more as energy traveled his spines. Anguirus could feel the pulsing and fought harder to get away. The energy pulse went away and Anguirus felt the teeth dislodge from his neck. Godzilla let go of his foe and Anguirus scurried several titan feet away, looking back at Godzilla in a mix of fear and confusion. Godzilla's head was turned, staring off in the direction of the ocean. With a mighty roar, the King of the Monsters charged and jumped into the ocean. Anguirus turned and began to move away, hoping to find an area to recover.

Madison and Steve continued to look over the locations of military bases that Monarch had on file. Madison had accessed Monarch's network, hoping they would have some record of where the primary EDF base was located. Steve Martin used his laptop to look over a list of acknowledged military bases within the continental United States as well as islands that may have outposts as well. They had been at it for hours, pouring over the information almost line for line. Steve had even made some calls to his military contacts, thinking perhaps they may know something they hadn't found. After several hours they had taken a break.

"You know, I really thought this might be easier," Martin said as he took a sip of his tea.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised they aren't showing up in our system. With everything that's been going on, it makes sense they'd keep their location off the books."

"I would've thought they'd have to give you any of their locations since they require it of you. Both of your organizations are supposed to be working together."

"It's more like they get to use us for what they need and that's it," Madison responded, "Nothing joint about any of this. Monarch is supposed to monitor and study Titans. The EDF just treats them as a threat."

She leaned back in her chair, her mind wandering as the T.V. was on in the background. The screen flashed, drawing both hers and Steve's attention to it.

"This is CNN with a special news bulletin. We go to you live at The White House where the President is about to speak," it said.

The screen immediately flashed the a podium in front of the President's seal. Camera flashes caught the President as he moved to the podium, a stack of papers in his hand. Madison and Steve watched on as the President cleared his throat.

"My fellow Americans. I'm coming to speak to you all now in regards to the recent Titan attack that swept not only this great nation, but the entire world. As many of you know, Titans from the area dubbed by Monarch as 'The Hollow Earth' attacked varying parts of the world. As a result of this invasion, many lives were lost. Some of our heaviest hit cities are still trying to accurately find out the death toll for their areas. This has been a crisis the likes of which we have never seen. The EDF, led by General Douglas Gordon, had been created to be able to respond to any kind of Titan threat. But not even they were ready for something of this magnitude. In my humble opinion, I don't think any nation or military force would have been prepared for such an attack from beneath our very feet. Brave soldiers from all over the world gave their lives to fight back against this great enemy and through their tenacity and valiant efforts, they were able to repel this army of Titans. Critics of my administration have already targeted me for not making any public statements about the incident. I assure you, i have not taken these attacks lightly. Since these monsters were pushed back into the Earth, I have been speaking with several world leaders as well as meeting with various military personnel including General Gordon. Together we have come up with a response that we all feel is the best course of action, which I am now presenting to you."

He paused briefly as he cleared his throat once more. Madison watched on, a sense of dread growing in the back of her mind.

"Humanity itself has had several encounters with titans from the surface and from below. We have lost cities, friends, loved ones, and more. We have been at the mercy of the Titans for far too long. Despite the good we have seen some of them provide, we have had too much lost to ignore the inevitable. But today, we are ready. With the approval and counsul of my advisers, I have decided that we must take the fight to the Titans. I have developed a strategy with the EDF to launch an attack upon the titans of Hollow Earth in an attempt to prevent further loss of life from their repeated attacks."

Madison and Steve's eyes went wide in horror.

"The EDF has already begun preparations for this assault at my request. Very soon, this force will descend to the Hollow Earth and ensure that we will no longer have to deal with a subterranean attack. We will not be caught off guard again. I have also signed an executive order immediately informing the organization Monarch no longer have access to the Hollow Earth for research or other purposes. We will not risk any more loss of life in our pursuit of Titan knowledge. Once the situation within the Hollow Earth has been rectified, we will then discuss steps in ensuring that any attacks from the Titans on the surface will be stopped before they can occur. As soon as a plan of action is in place, I will then dissolve Monarch and ensure that all their information be made public. We will come together and ensure that we are protected and that we no longer live in fear. My fellow Americans, we will make it through this crisis just as we have before. Thank you all very much for your time."

As the President stepped away and the anchors began to discuss this sudden revelation, Madison and Steve sat in silence. The President of the United States had just declared war on Titan kind. The EDF was leading the charge. And both of them knew in their hearts that this was not going to end well.